This project started with a short call over a year ago. I was asked if i think that it would be possible to make masks similar to the creatures i created for my diploma for a music video. I instantly said yes and already had some great ideas on my mind, how to approach this project. Of course, i was a bit worried, because i never had created any masks like this and never worked on a music video before. First it looked like my task would be to create 6 masks. Three for a friendly beast and 3 for Taika (young, middle-aged and old versions for each). So, I took my motivation and tried to figure it out. While doing this I created a bear mask. easy peasy over the weekend it was done. Now i could approach this project with a bit more confidence and start to work on the real thing. In the end we settled for 3 masks for the video instead of 6, because it was a better solution to make changes on the fly while filming instead of trying to create 3 different masks for each character that still should exactly resemble each other, just in different ages. So the first step on the real project were sketches that i talked through with my client. We also exactly told them what was possible and what was the best way to achieve that. They mostly gave me free reign with the design and I could go wild on it. After a few hit-n-miss experiments how to actually get the shape i wanted to, i ordered some styro-heads, that are usually used for wigs and felted around them for the smaller masks. For the big monster mask I created a huge shape out of film and felted around that. All the details were applied dry. Easypeasy.

The Shoot was planned for october, but had to be postponed for a bit. I actually thought this was good, so I had still more time to work on the masks. Sometimes you need a bit distance from your work to actually judge it and that the shoot didn’t happen as early as planned helped me look at them in another way. At least I can’t always instantly tell if I like what I did and then it takes me some days and being disconnected from it to make up my mind.

Additionally to the masks I also made some Illustrations that are in the video. They’re in the book that is sometimes shown. I felt a bit anxious about the shoot itself. For testing purposes I only had the chance to put the masks on my boyfriend, but I had no idea how they would actually look on the actors and how they would fit with the actual set. Additionally i’m a more of a cautious person that doesn’t feel to well when too many people are in one place.

So in March 2016 the day finally came. I had booked my train tickets way ahead and got on my train very early in the morning, from Nürnberg to Marburg, with a big suitcase full of masks, wool, needles, threads, scissors and a lot of other stuff that I might need. I was very glad that the team turned out to be very small so I didn’t have to worry about that. The music video was filmed in a small theate in Marburg. The set was already built when I arrived. The stage was completely in black and was furnished with a window, a bed, a nightstand and a closet (where the beast lives). I have never been at a video shoot before and everything was new and incredibly interesting to me. My job was to basically put the actors into their costumes and help that everything fits well and looks good. I also had to be quick after every “CUT” to help them out of it, because under these feltmasks, the air gets incredibly sticky very fast. We started on the same day that I arrived, on the next day it was planned to shoot something outside and then again at the theatre.

After the first scenes were rehearsed and shot, my anxiety was replaced by excitement, because the actors really brought the masks to live. For Taika there were 2 masks, because there was also a little girl who played taika as a child, so we needed a smaller mask for that. The grown up mask was altered for the second day with some wrinkles and a different, older hair style. The first day went by really quick, as there were so many new and cool things happenening for me. I had a real good feeling after the first day. The colors all fit well and harmonically together and the masks fit well with the set, although I didn’t really know what the set was gonna look like when working on them. The masks were suddenly alive and not as boring as I saw them in the months while they were in my apartment. When I looked at the small monitor for the camera i was so impressed how it all played together. The second day was harder for everybody. The outside shoot was first and the forecast wasn’t looking nice. Just as we arrived at our destination, it started to rain and, while the forecast said it, we were not prepared for it. After a few takes the rain got heavier and it even started to hail. Fortunately we found some shelter. We still were all shivering and soggy to the bone and the mood was also a bit down. But it was all worth it, the final product speaks for itself. Apart from the weather, that nobody liked and small incident with the camera. I think the whole experience was great for everyone involved.

The Alteration of the masks went very quick, the changes weren’t too crazy though. The monster got longer hair, some wrinkles and the horns got bigger. While I was really scared to meet and work with absolute strangers I really have to say that i am absolutely grateful for this wonderful experience and that I am very proud on the outcome and the small part I contributed to it. The project was a lot of fun and I hope to get another opportunity at similar projects very soon. And now, Quick, watch the video and leave some comments. I would really love that.

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Hier bloggt:

My name is Anja and I'm blogging about the random stuff i do like drawing and felting. You can find a lot of my art on this Blog. I'm currently working as freelance Illustrator and Artist and I'm open for your private or business commissions. If you are interested in my work please feel free to contact me.
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I draw, illustrate, create and design for a living and i am always looking for new clients
If you are a band who needs a new album cover artwork or a new t-shirt design, a blog that needs some personal illustrations, a magazine that is looking for some new illustrators, an author that needs some artworks for your own stories and books, an art director who is looking for illustrations for new campaigns or an indie brand that needs a new unique handmade logo let me know if you like my style and illustrations and we can work together. Let's have fun!